Zydrunas Ilgauskas, often known as Big Z, was a two-time All-Star and the inspiration for a rule that prohibits teams from reacquiring a player transferred within the same league year. The Cleveland Cavaliers retired his No. 11.
Ilgauskas, Zydrunas
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| Playing career | 1993–2011 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 11 |
Chuck Cooper, the first African-American player in the NBA, wore No. 11 from 1950 to 1954, as did Charlie Scott (1975-78), Bob McAdoo (1978-79), Glen "Big Baby" Davis (2007-2011), and, most recently, Evan Turner (2015-2016).
Turner was drafted by the Celtics with the 11th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. He played only one season at Ohio State before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for cash considerations. The 11th pick had never before been used by the Celtics, who acquired it from Seattle in a trade that also sent Rashard Lewis to the Sonics.
Here are the other players who have worn No. 11 in Boston: Sidney Wicks, Bill Sharman, Sam Jones, Rick Fox, Brian Scalabrine, Mark Price, Kevin Parsonage, Chris Mills, Drew Bledsoe, Antoine Walker, Delonte West, and Evan Turner.
Here are the retired numbers for each NBA team, as well as the most worthy player whose number has yet to be honored. Bob Pettit (9 points), Dominique Wilkins (21 points), Lou Hudson (23 points), and Jason Collier all have retired jerseys (40 points) Cliff Hagan was a winger, which is fitting for a Hawks player who should have his number retired. He played from 1970 to 1986 and averaged 11 points per game during his career.
In addition to these players, the Jazz also have two retired numbers: 0 and 32. John Starks wore number 0 when he first came into the league but later switched to 32 when Al Netolicky took over as coach. When he returned as coach after leaving to play for Chicago, Netolicky gave the starting job to Starks again. Although Starks played only three seasons with the Jazz, he still ranks third in franchise history in points scored (4,560).
Number 32 has not been worn since 1987 when it was last used by John Williamson. The Jazz did not retire his number then or any other time during his career except when he was on injured reserve. If Williamson had never come into the league, we would still don't know his status because the Jazz didn't even give him a number. He just appeared out of nowhere and started playing center right away, so they must have liked what they saw because they kept him around for three more years before finally sending him back to college after he got drafted by Chicago.
Who is the greatest NBA player to ever wear the number 6 jersey? With the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell won 11 NBA Championships in 13 years. As a player coach, he won the past two titles. He also won five MVPs, two NCAA championships, an Olympic gold medal in 1956, and was named to 12 NBA All-Star teams.
The number 18 jersey been worn by five NBA players. These are their names: Alec Burks is the top dog. No. 23 Solomon Hill Shake it up, Milton. 4 Anzejs Pasecniks Watanabe, Yuta (no. 5)
Muggsy Bogues was the NBA's smallest player and a part of history's best high school squad. Terrell Brandon, who wore No. 1 for only two seasons but made the All-Star team both times, should have worn it more often. He was 7 feet tall. Bogues was 6 feet 4 inches.
In 2004, Drew Nicholas of Canada played one game for the Philadelphia 76ers wearing #1. The next year, he played in four games for the Sacramento Kings with no statistics available.
The first player chosen in the NBA draft who had his number retired by his team was Muggsy Bogues, in honor of his career as the shortest player in NBA history. The Milwaukee Bucks retired his number in 1995. During his career, Bogues also played for the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Bullets.
Brandon was a 14-year veteran of the NBA and a two-time All-Star who averaged 17 points per game in his final season. He announced his retirement on March 9, 1993 after breaking his leg during a game against the Chicago Bulls. His number 1 has not been issued since then; although several players have tried out for the position over the years, none have been able to hold it long enough to be named an all-star or receive any real playing time.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
